Social work in mental health services: A survey of the field |
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| Authors: | Stephen Ziguras Kristen Henley Wayne Conron Neil Catford |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit , Melbourne;2. Mental Health Service for Kids and Youth , Parkville;3. Homeless Outreach Psychiatric Service, South West Area Mental Health Service , Footscray;4. Dual Diagnosis Unit , Drug and Alcohol Service, Western Hospital , Footscray |
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| Abstract: | Abstract A survey of social workers employed in mental health services was conducted in Victoria in mid-1997. Approximately 300 social workers were identified as working in the sector. About half were employed in adult clinical services, 23% in psychiatric disability services, 12.4% in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and the rest in a range of other services. More than 90% worked in a community based service or team. The number of entry-level (SW I) positions in clinical services was found to have declined over the last ten years from 61 to 14, resulting in a lack of opportunities for social workers to gain experience in base grade positions, and difficulty in recruiting to SW II positions. Major issues of concern reported by social workers included: the lack of accommodation and other community resources for consumers; diminished opportunities for professional development, supervision, and discipline-specific training; lack of professional recognition; increasing workloads; and organisational emphasis on throughput rather than quality. |
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